CNC Router

General Information

The CNC machine can be found inside the Wood Shop. When using any equipment in the woodshop, make sure to wear all proper safety equipment.

If you have any issues with Wood Shop equipment, the slack channels associated with this space include: #general, #shop-cnc, and #shop-wood

Equipment

AvidCNC Pro60120 platform, with 3 HP Plug and Play Spindle / VFD System

• Work Area:
  • X: 61-3/8" (1559 mm)
  • Y: 124-1/4" (3156 mm)
  • Z: 8" (203 mm) - minus spoil board thickness
• Footprint:
  • Width: 78-3/4" (2000 mm)
  • Length: 141" (3582 mm)
  • Height: 77-1/2" (1970 mm)
  • Weight: 708 lbs (321 kg)
• Cutting Speed:
  • 500 IPM (NEMA 34 version)
• Rapid Speed:
  • 1000 IPM (NEMA 34 version)
• Drive System:
  • X/Y: PRO Rack and Pinion
  • Z: Precision Ballscrew
• Resolution:
  • X/Y: 0.0005" (0.0127 mm)
  • Z: 0.0002" (0.005 mm)
• Repeatability: +/- 0.002" (0.05 mm)
• Accuracy: +/- 0.005" (0.127 mm) or better

Orientation

First Steps

• Switch power on to both control and VFD (located on right side of the table)
• Visually inspect all sides of table to ensure nothing is in the way
• Verify the e-stop on the table and the pendant are not pressed

The Cycle Start Checklist

The Cycle Start checklist is your friend. Complete all steps before hitting Cycle Start

1. Locate the emergency stop

• Know where both e-stops are located (table and pendant) so you can react quickly if needed
• Test that you can reach them without looking away from the machine

2. Home your machine

• Establishes the machine's reference coordinate system
• Ensures accurate positioning and prevents out-of-range errors
• Must be done after every power cycle, emergency stop or pressing the stop button

3. Confirm Material Dimensions

• Verify your material size matches what's programmed in your toolpath
• Check for proper clearance around the entire cutting area
• Ensure material is flat and properly supported

4. Secure Workholding

• Confirm clamps, screws, or plastic nails are properly engaged
• Test that material cannot move during cutting operations
• Avoid placing workholding where it might interfere with the toolpath

5. Check router bit installation

• Verify the correct bit is installed for the current operation
• Ensure collet and nut are properly tightened
• Check that bit length matches your toolpath settings

6. Verify work coordinate offsets

• Set X, Y, and Z offset either manually, or with the z-probe
• Double-check Z-zero position relative to material surface
• Verify X and Y zeros match your intended starting position

7. Load G-Code and Preview Toolpath

• Open your file in Mach4 and use the preview function
• Watch for any unexpected movements or rapid moves
• Verify the toolpath matches your design intent

8. Review Mach 4 and G-Code

• Check that feed rates and spindle speeds are appropriate
• Make sure that any overrides are reset before running your next toolpath

9. Test Spindle

• Run the spindle briefly at your programmed RPM without cutting
• Listen for unusual noises or vibrations
• Verify spindle starts and stops correctly

10. Reinstall Dust Shoe

• Ensure dust shoe is properly seated around the collet
• Confirm vacuum hose is connected and clear
• Make sure blast gate is open, and other blast gates around the woodshop are closed

End Mills

End Mills are considered consumables - while we have them on hand for orientation, you need to provide your own afterwards.

An incredibly comprehensive guide on endmills can be found here:

Collets

• We have ER-20 collets for 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", and 3/8" shank end mills
  • DO NOT use end mills with metric sized shanks. If you need to, you can provide your own ER-20 collets with the appropriate shank diameter for your metric tool!
• Bigger shanks are better! Shanks often are larger than the cutting diameter
  • Keep in mind how deep you plan to cut as well. Even when the shank matches cutting diameter, you shouldn't be rubbing it against what you just cut
• Less is more when it comes to cutting lengths. They deflect less, and you can increase your feed rate

Feeds and Speeds

• Feed rate: How fast the machine is pushing the end mill around the cutting area
• Speed rate: How fast the spindle is turning the end mill
• Other factors that affect your cutting ability:
  • Depth per pass - most feed and speed guides assume a depth of 1× tool diameter. Going deeper will need you to reduce speed
  • Stepover - rule of thumb is 1/2 diameter for pocketing operations. Smaller stepovers can improve surface finish, while increasing machining time
  • Chip load - how much material you're actually removing per flute, per revolution. Feeds and speeds can be increased or decreased while maintaining this ratio. Keeping within spec can prolong the life of your end mill
• WHAT SETTINGS DO I USE??????
  • Consult the manufacturer recommended feeds and speeds for the end mill you've selected. That is not necessarily the hardest you can push that tool - these are starting points, and this turns into an art over a science, quickly
  • The presets on VCarve will often be conservative. They will work, just not quickly.
  • I will often use settings from another manufacturer for a similar, cheaper tool from Amazon. If tool diameters / lengths / geometry / number of flutes match, this will often work fine

Endmill recommendations

Cheap

Spetool: Amazon

High Quality

Amana Tools: Tools Today. The AMS-119 3 piece starter pack has several tools you'll be using a lot: AMS-119 Starter Pack

Local

• Woodcraft in Lexington - Sells Whiteside, Freud, and Amana
• Lowes / Menards / Home Depot - some V-carving and straight end mills available
  • DO NOT use end mills with guide bearings